NEW RELEASE: Sundance award-winning documentary The Summit

Sundance award–winning documentary The Summit set for Irish cinema release in November

Wildcard Distribution have just announced that Irish director Nick Ryan’s award-winning documentary The Summit, which was supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, will open in Irish cinemas on November 22nd.

The gripping film — winner of the World Cinema Documentary Prize for Editing at the prestigious Sundance Festival — chronicles one of the deadliest days in modern mountain history, when eleven climbers, including Limerick man Ger McDonnell, lost their lives on the most dangerous mountain in the world, K2. The film was executive produced by Irish adventurer/entrepreneur Pat Falvey and John Battsek (The Imposter, Searching for Sugar Man) and written by Mark Monroe, who also wrote the Oscar-winning The Cove.

Speaking about the release, director Nick Ryan said, “We are truly excited to be bringing The Summit to the big screen in Ireland, and that audiences will be able to experience the events of the shocking 2008 climb. This is a compelling story and one that we felt needed to be told, especially with the story of Irishman Ger McDonnell, whose final heroic act is central to the film.”

Patrick O’Neill, Wildcard Distribution CEO, added: “The Summit is a unique and thrilling cinema experience and Irish filmmaking at its finest. We can’t wait for Irish audiences to see this film on the big screen where it belongs.”

The film has been receiving rave reviews in the US since its release. The New York Times called it “a pulse-pounding success” and The Hollywood Reporter, “a heart throbbing cliffhanger.”

The Summit was produced by Image Now in association with Passion Pictures, Diamond Docs and Fantastic Films, and was funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, RTÉ, BAI and BBC.